February 10, 2024 - GJ - Billboard Star Performers Early February 1957, 1967, 1977

Rockin’ Remnants

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Date: February 10, 2024

Host:  Gregory James

Feature: February Billboard Star Performers: 1957, 1967, 1977

Birthday Calendar

February 4

Alice Cooper  76 years old

Marge and Mary Ann Ganser  b. 1948

Florence LaRue (Fifth Dimension)   80 years old

February 5

Al Kooper 80 years old

Barrett Strong  b. 1941

Hal Blaine  b. 1929

February 6

Bob Marley  b. 1945

Fabian Forte   81 years old

Bill Doggett   b. 1916

February 7

King Curtis  b. 1934

February 9

Barbara Lewis   81 years old

Carole King  82 years old

Barry Mann  85 years old

Bobby Lewis  b. 1925

February 10

Roberta Flack  87 years old

Rock n’ Roll Trivia

Early in the 6:00 hour I played songs by Fats Domino and Little Richard from a movie that contained those songs. What was the movie?

(scroll down to find the answer below the playlist)

Playlist

* songs with * were requests

* all chart information comes from the Billboard Top 100 (for chart dates before/during July 1958) or Billboard Hot 100 (for subsequent dates) unless otherwise noted

* glossary of terms is below the playlist

6:00-7:00

OPENING THEME: Good Old Rock n’ Roll—Cat Mother and the All Night Newsboys (1969, #29, produced by Jimi Hendrix)

Girl Can’t Help It    Little Richard   2/9/1957  #57  chart debut 

This song was underscoring for the film of the same name. My favorite lyric is, “If she winks an eye, the bread slice turns to toast.”

Sock It To Me Baby Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels  2/11/1967     Moved up to #58 from #82 (its debut chart position).

*It Keeps You Running Doobie Brothers  1977  #37

The video is mostly a closeup of Michael McDonald (who is great), but check out Jeff Baxter's solo at 3:31.

Blinded by the Light   Manfred Mann’s Earth Band   2/12/1977   Up to #3 from #6

The lyric “wrapped (or revved) up like a deuce” is in reference to the 1932 V-8 Ford or the “deuce coupe” that the Beach Boys sang about.

Blue Monday Fats Domino  2/9/1957   #9 up from #12

This track was heard in the film “The Girl Can’t Help It.” It was of the earliest R&B records to make the Billboard pop chart peaking at #5 and #1 on the R&B chart. The film featured performances by Little Richard, Fats Domino, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, and the Platters.

Pretty Ballerina Left Banke   2/11/1967  Up to #25 from #34

Who was the ballerina? Renee Fladen who is now a voice coach in San Francisco.

*Paradise by the Dashboard Light Meatloaf   1978  #39

Requested by Rick and dedicated to Karen.

*Lawyers in Love Jackson Browne   1983  #13

Go Your Own Way Fleetwood Mac 2/12/1977 Up to #20 from #28

This was the first single off of “Rumours,” their eleventh album. We have Fleetwood Mac to thank for giving the ‘70’s a little musical edge.

Young Love Sonny James  2/9/1957 Holding at #3

Backing singers were Gordon Stoker of the Jordanaires and Harlan Powell.

The Beat Goes On Sonny and Cher  2/11/1967  Up to #10 from #16

Carol Kaye of the Wrecking Crew came up with the syncopated bass pattern.

*Keep the Customer Satisfied Simon and Garfunkel   1970  DNC

This was the B-side to “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and the A-side to “America” on a promotional record serviced only to radio stations. Requested by Scottie and dedicated to Mecklenberg Peggy with Happy Valentine’s Day wishes to all.

Paralyzed Elvis Presley   2/9/1957   #92

The lowest charting of Elvis’ eight records in the Top 100 for this date, including “Love Me Tender” and “Don’t Be Cruel.” “Paralyzed” peaked at #59

7:00-8:00

No More Mr. Nice Guy    Alice Cooper  1973   #25

This was Alice’s response to a church group’s objections to his stage show.

The Sweet Sounds of Summer   Shangri-Las  1967  #123

This was one of their first recordings for the Mercury label after the Red Bird label folded. Nice harmonies and sound effects.

Go Where You Wanna Go  Fifth Dimension   1967   #16

New York City, You’re a Woman    Al Kooper   1971   NR

Misery Barrett Strong   1959  DNC

This was the follow up to “Money”, but it failed to chart. Strong had more success as a composer with songs like “Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Just My Imagination,” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.”

Drummer Man Nancy Sinatra   1969  #98

This track featured Hal Blaine’s drumming front and center.

Jammin’  Bob Marley and the Wailers   1977

The lyric “No bullet can stop us now” referred to a gunman’s attempt on Marley’s life.

Honky Tonk Part 2 Bill Doggett       1956  #1 RB  #2 H100

Clifford Scott played the sax.

Tiger    Fabian    1959  #3 H100  #15 RB

This was Fabian’s most successful single. It contains several animal similes: tiger (obviously), antelope, grizzly bear, eagle, kangaroo and, from the realm of vegetables, an onion in a bowl of stew.

Yakety Yak Coasters   1959  #1 RB  #1 H100

King Curtis played the punchy sax solo and composer Mike Stoller played piano.

Hello Stranger Barbara Lewis  1963  #1RB  #3 H100

The Dells were the backing vocalists.

Up on the Roof Carole King   1971  DNC

James Taylor’s guitar accompaniment is unmistakable.

On Broadway Drifters   1964  #9 H100

Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil wrote the basic song and adapted it for the Drifters with input from Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller.

Tossin’ and Turnin’ Bobby Lewis  1961  #1 H100  #1 RB

This version features a prelude not heard on the original single, but which Bobby Lewis often performed in concert.

After You Roberta Flack   1977  NR

Roberta Flack has said that “After You” is one of her favorite recordings.

Things We Do for Love  10cc 2/12/1977   Up to #27 from #35

8:00-9:00

Fly Like an Eagle Steve Miller Band  2/12/1977  Up to #11 from #13

The U.S. Postal Service used this song in a 1998 ad campaign that featured an eagle as their new logo.

Green Door  Jim Lowe  2/9/1957   #10  down from  #7

Composer Bob Davie played the piano on this track, reputedly about a Chicago speakeasy with a green door.

Ain’t Got No Home Clarence Frogman Henry   #35   2/9/1957   

Henry sings the song in three vocal registers—modal (or chest voice), falsetto and vocal fry.

Don’t Leave Me This Way Thelma Houston   2/12/1977 Up to #24 from #26

In 1978, Thelma Houston won a Grammy for Best Female R&B Performance, and the song was on the soundtrack of the film “Looking for Mr. Goodbar.”

Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye Casinos   2/11/1967  Up to #16 from #23

This 1967 nouveau doo-wop throwback was the Casino’s only Top 40 hit.

Darlin’ Be Home Soon Lovin’ Spoonful   2/11/1967  #84 chart debut

John Sebastian had to record his vocals twice after his voice track was accidentally erased by a studio engineer.  At one point, Sebastian came in early on the chorus, and he was not happy about it.

Carry On Wayward Son Kansas    2/12/1977   Up to #30 from #36

This song was a last-minute addition to their “Leftoverture” album and almost did not make it onto the record.

It Takes Two   Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston  2/11/1967   Up to #27 from #36

I’ve Been Lonely Too Long Young Rascals  2/11/1967   Up to #53 from #63

Save It for a Rainy Day Stephen Bishop   2/12/1977  Up to #25 from #27

Eric Clapton provided the guitar solo and Chaka Khan provided backing vocals.

Bad Boy Jive Bombers  2/9/1957 #76  down from #69

This song, in various incarnations, has been around since 1936.

For What It’s Worth    Buffalo Springfield  2/11/1967   Up to #56 from #70

Stephen Stills reportedly said to producer Ahmet Ertegun “I have this song here, for what it’s worth, if you want it.”

The First Cut is the Deepest   Rod Stewart  2/12/1977  #77 debut  

This song was written by Cat Stevens, and Stewart recorded it in Muscle Shoals.

I Walk the Line Johnny Cash   #99  2/9/57

You heard the original Sun Records version. Cash put a dollar bill under his guitar strings to suggest brush strokes on a snare drum.

Confidential Sonny Knight  #97  2/9/1957   

Written by Dorinda Morgan who also wrote surf music and produced several early Beach Boys tracks.

There’s a Kind of a Hush Herman’s Hermits  2/11/1967  #90  chart debut

This was the final top 10 hit by the Hermits.

Rich Girl Hall and Oates  2/12/1977   Up to #28 from #38 (debut)

CLOSING THEME: Sleep Walk – Santo and Johnny (1959, #1 for two weeks)

Trivia Answer

The Girl Can’t Help It

Congratulations to Brad from Cayuga Heights for correctly answering the question and winning a pair of passes to Cinemapolis, downtown Ithaca’s home for first-run, international, independent and local films.

Glossary of Terms:

DNC = did not chart

NR = not released as a single at the time

AC = Billboard’s chart for Adult Contemporary records

H100 = Billboard Hot 100

RB = Billboard’s chart of rhythm and blues records

Host February 17: Kim Vaughan 

Thanks for tuning in! You can listen to Rockin’ Remnants every Saturday night from 6-9 p.m. Eastern on WVBR (93.5 FM in Ithaca NY) or streaming on WVBR.com.

Thanks again to our sponsors Island Health & Fitness and Rasa Spa for their support every week!